Halo 4 definitely in development for Xbox 360

343 Industries sequel to arrive before Microsoft's next console

343 Industries confirmed Halo 4 is not being saved for Microsoft's next console, but instead in development for the current Xbox 360. Earlier this year, there was speculation that Master Chief's return would be used to launch the Xbox 360 follow-up, which was recently rumored to be codenamed the 'Loop'. Today, however, series director Frank O'Connor took to the interwebs to squash those rumors for good.

"Halo 4 will be on Xbox 360 and use a modified core of the Halo engine(s). Not really a singular engine since it goes through fairly radical evolutions all the time," reported O'Connor under his 'OuterWorldVoice' handle on the NeoGAF forums.

O'Connor dropped the news on NeoGAF members in response to concern 343 Industries had declined to talk about where Halo 4 would land back at E3 2011. A few months later at PAX 2011, 343 Industries did spill some plot details regarding the Halo sequel; specifically that it will kick off a new Reclaimer Trilogy that will flesh out the Halo universe, and provide some depth to Master Chief and Cortana's relationship. Listen in as O'Connor and company tease what could be the biggest games of 2012: